Tracy Buchanan takes reins as chair of YMCA Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of the YMCA of Western North Carolina is pleased to announce the appointment of its new chair and four new members.

Tracy Buchanan, President and CEO of CarePartners, replaces Charles Frederick of TD Bank as chair. Buchanan began her career as a physical therapist at CarePartners and held a variety of leadership positions before being named CEO in 2009. This is her second time on the YMCA board, and her first as chair.

“I am very excited to assume this leadership role with the YMCA of WNC,” said Buchanan. “I have been involved with the Board of Directors for many years and have seen the commitment that the Board and staff have to strengthening our community. Through programs that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the Y is making Western North Carolina a better place to live.”

Frederick served three years as YMCA board chair, overseeing a period of tremendous growth for the nonprofit. During his tenure, the Y opened YMCA Camp Watia, the Ferguson Family YMCA, and the Black Mountain YMCA, and distributed more than $11.5 million in charitable services to the community. As past president of the board, he will lead the organization’s next strategic plan process.

YMCA of WNC President and CEO Paul Vest is confident the organization will continue to flourish with Buchanan at the helm.
“Tracy is deeply devoted to the health and well-being of our community,” Vest said. “Her healthcare expertise will guide the Y as we continue to address the social determinants of health.”

Greg Burnette of First Citizens Bank and Gary Foss of GFossConsulting also recently completed their terms on the YMCA board.

“We are grateful to Charles, Gary, and Greg for their contributions to the Y,” Vest said. “They’ve been a vital part of our growth and stewardship over the past few years.”

“We welcome the return of Kathy Guyette and Bill Hathaway to our board, and are excited about the fresh perspectives John Bryant and Darin Waters will bring,” Vest said. “The YMCA of WNC is fortunate to have so many talented and dedicated volunteers who work for a better us.”

To learn more about the volunteer and executive leadership of the nonprofit YMCA of WNC, go to ymcawnc.org/leadership.

About YMCA of Western North Carolina

The nonprofit YMCA of Western North Carolina strengthens local communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1889, the YMCA of WNC engages more than 100,000 people – regardless of age, income, or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the region’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support the community. It does this through eight YMCAs, dozens of program sites, and YMCA Camp Watia. As the state’s largest provider of licensed school-age child care, it gives more than 1,000 children a day the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. For more information, please visit ymcawnc.org.